The Sugar Cane Festival Building, dedicated in 1951, was constructed with funds provided by the State of Louisiana. Designed by noted architect Owen J. Southwell, this local landmark, with its sugar cane mill inspired exterior and classic European Renaissance themed theater, was once the largest stage in Louisiana.

The Iberia Parish Council will make the vote to repair the Sugar Cane Festival Building’s air conditioning system at Wednesday’s regular council meeting.

The council will vote on a resolution amending the 2024 General Fund Budget and Public Building Maintenance Fund Budget in the amount of $35,000 to appropriate funding to make air conditioning repairs to the Sugar Cane Festival Building, all to be funded with federal American Rescue Plan Act loss revenue funds which will be transferred to the General Fund.

The council overwhelmingly supported the measure during a joint committee meeting earlier next month, with some council members also bringing up the future of the Sugar Cane Festival Building. Supporters of the measure said that hundreds of students use the facility for dance recitals due to the building being the only one of its kind in the Teche Area.

In other business, the council will vote on resolution on behalf of Iberia Parish Government urging the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to implement a non passing zone and install two no passing signs in both directions in the area of 6017 East Old Spanish Trail, also known as Louisiana 182, in Jeanerette due to this area being a high traffic area with a school, church and large neighborhood.

The council will also make the final vote on millage rates for the year at the council meeting. An agenda item to adopt the adjusted millage rates for 2024 assessment and set forth the adjusted millage rates and roll forward to millage rates not exceeding the maximum authorized rates will be discussed at the meeting.

The meeting takes place 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Iberia Parish Courthouse.